Fall 2009

Page 1

SnowPro Call for Board Candidates in Regions 3, 4 + 7 ...page 34

The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Eastern / Education Foundation

Fall 2009

Editor's Desk

Guest Editorial

How Do We View OUR Association? by Ron Kubicki Member PSIA-E/AASI Board of Directors Region 5 Representative PSIA-E/AASI Vice President

A

s I move throughout our region and the division, one recurring theme I hear from members is: “What does the organization do for me?”, “What am I getting for my dues?”, “Who are these people who make the decisions?” This seems to imply that there is something lacking or questionable; an expected service or benefit is not being provided; or the Association is not of value and/or is not doing its job. I’d like to try to respond to these recurring comments. First and foremost, this is an association comprised solely of members, and membership is most effective when it is an active role. We are all snowsports teachers – ambassadors – zealots – promoters – participants. All of these titles express, or imply, action on our part. That we are not passive. That we are active, adventurous, and creative. That we can, in all of these roles, introduce our resort

the inside edge

guests to our wonderful snowsports, improve their skills, and enable them to have fun - to learn and excel. By doing this we are building the industry and helping our guests to bring a new lifetime activity into their lives. How are we able to do all of this? Think about it! We are able to do this because we, or our trainers, have gained knowledge from the literature provided by PSIA/AASI, from the Core Concepts manual to Visual Cues for Effective/Ineffective Skiing. And, also, by attending any of the countless clinics, specialty events, exam preps, and certification exams that are offered each season by PSIA-E/AASI. Even now, as I look through the Early Fall SnowPro, I note there are at least 24 manuals and DVDs available to us – members - that cover all our disciplines. This educational material is what gives us the knowledge and training we need to provide our services in a professional and effective manner – provided by the Association as a core benefit to members in all disciplines. Value! The Association newsletter, the SnowPro, provides updates from our President, Executive Director, from the chairs of our many committees, and from the Regional Directors. In addition, it provides descriptions of what to expect from many of our premier events, from Pro Jam to Spring Rally, and a full schedule of events in all disciplines, including several hundred update clinics, exam preps, and Master Teacher courses, with accreditations and countless specialty events. It also contains letters and pertinent articles by members, a page and half of VIP member benefits and privileges, and a color supplement with member-priced Avalanche products. Value! All this is provided to us as members by a very dedicated administrative staff at 1-A Lincoln Avenue in Albany, NY. In addition, there is a solid core of members who are volunteer chairs, committee

members, and members of the Board of Directors, whose sole purpose is to improve and grow our sports, and keep our membership vital and effective in keeping the snowsports industry healthy and evolving positively. Value! How does this affect any individual member? I would say it is up to that person. Our duty as members is to participate; not to expect, but to assist, suggest and act. Our membership enables us. Being enabled is much more powerful then being entitled! Are we taking on an enabled role in our association? Did we vote in the last election in our region? Did we vote on the last By-Laws revision in the Summer SnowPro? Were we a candidate for an office in our region? Have we written an article or letter for the SnowPro? Did we attend the last meeting of our region, or the membership meeting held each season at the Spring Rally? Certainly it is a busy life we all lead, and it’s tough to shoehorn time in just to teach, get some slope time for ourselves or perhaps some trail time to develop skills in another discipline, and keep up-to-date with our continuing education. So, how in the world can we be expected to take on all of this? Well, most of us can do the things that can be done from home, like voting, offering opinions, writing articles, taking advantage of the many VIP privileges, etc. However, it’s understandable that not everyone has the time or the resources to be actively involved in a large number of events or to participate on the Board, committees, etc. Not all of us can do that, and often with good reasons. That’s where we need to have faith in those members who can and do! Those members we have who chair committees, who serve on committees, who run for office, who take advantage of special educational opportunities to work as trainers, etc. Those who can make the sacrifice of time and travel to serve us all. How do we even know who these continued on page 2

2.........President’s Message

7.........VIPrivileges

24.......2009-10 Event Schedule

3.........Executive Tracks

9.........Around the Regions

34.......Region 3, 4 & 7 Election Rules


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Fall 2009 by PSIA-AASI Eastern - Issuu